Method for detecting a viewing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method for detecting a viewing apparatus, and causing a presentation device to present a media program in a time division multiplexed (TDM) scheme or a space division multiplexing (SDM) scheme responsive to said detection, wherein the viewing apparatus is configured to the TDM or SDM schemes to enable viewing of the media program. Other embodiments are disclosed and contemplated.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to detection techniques andmore specifically to a method for detecting a viewing apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Media consumption has become a multibillion dollar industry thatcontinues to grow rapidly. Beginning with the advent of compact audioand video formats such as MPEG-3 and MPEG-4, these technologies havemade it easy for users to port music and video into portable devicessuch as cellular phones, and media players in very small form factors.Because of the small file size produced by these media formats, Flashmemory has in large part replaced compact hard drives previously used bythese portable devices, thereby improving their durability and batterylife.

High resolution displays such as high definition television (or HDTV)and high resolution computer monitors can now present two-dimensional(2D) movies and games with three-dimensional (3D) perspective withclarity never seen before. Consequently, home viewing of high resolutioncontent has become very popular. Additionally, high resolution displayshave helped to increase the popularity of gaming consoles amongteenagers and adults. With high speed Internet access, gaming consolemanufacturers are now able to support multiuser games over broadbandconnections without trading off video resolution.

Movie producers are beginning to focus their efforts on producing 3Dmovies that require 3D viewing glasses. Some blockbuster 3D movies suchas Avatar™ have motivated manufacturers to produce television sets thatsupport 3D viewing with polarized glasses.

Collectively, improvements in viewing, audio, and communicationtechnologies are causing rapid demand for consumption of all types ofmedia content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-2 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal interacting withthe communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication deviceutilized in the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a presentation device andmedia processor for presenting media content;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a viewing apparatus;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a presentation device witha polarized display;

FIGS. 8-9 depict illustrative embodiments of a method operating inportions of the devices and systems of FIGS. 1-7;

FIGS. 10-14 depict illustrative timing diagrams for presenting mediacontent to multiple viewers;

FIG. 15 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a presentation device witha polarized display;

FIG. 16 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method operating inportions of the devices and systems of FIGS. 1-7;

FIGS. 17-18 depict illustrative block diagrams according to the methodof FIG. 16; and

FIG. 19 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method operating inportions of the devices and systems of FIGS. 1-7; and

FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a media processorhaving a controller to detect a first viewing apparatus, assign thefirst viewing apparatus to a first of one or more periodic time slotsresponsive to detecting the first viewing apparatus, and cause apresentation device to present a first image during the first of the oneor more periodic time slots while the presentation device is presentinga second image during a second of the one or more periodic time slotsfor viewing by a second viewing apparatus assigned to the second of theone or more periodic time slots. The first viewing apparatus can have atleast one optical element, wherein the at least one optical element ofthe first viewing apparatus is enabled to allow light signals associatedwith the first image to penetrate the at least one optical elementduring the first of the one or more periodic time slots, but not duringthe second of the one or more periodic time slots. The second viewingapparatus can have at least one optical element, wherein the at leastone optical element of the second viewing apparatus is enabled to allowlight signals associated with the second image to penetrate the at leastone optical element during the second of the one or more periodic timeslots, but not the first of the one or more periodic time slots.

One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a computer-readablestorage medium having computer instructions to detect a first viewingapparatus, assign the first viewing apparatus to a first time divisionmultiplexing (TDM) scheme responsive to detecting the first viewingapparatus, and cause a presentation device to present a first imageaccording to the first TDM scheme. The media processor can be adapted tocause the presentation device to present another image according to asecond TDM scheme viewable with a second viewing apparatus. The firstviewing apparatus can be adapted for viewing of the first image duringthe first TDM scheme, but not during the second TDM scheme, while thesecond viewing apparatus can be configurable for viewing of the secondimage during the second TDM scheme, but not during the first TDM scheme.

One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a method fordetecting a viewing apparatus, and causing a presentation device topresent a media program in a time division multiplexed (TDM) scheme or aspace division multiplexing (SDM) scheme responsive to said detection,wherein the viewing apparatus is configured to the TDM or SDM schemes toenable viewing of the media program.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 100 for delivering media content. The communication system 100can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) broadcast mediasystem although other media broadcast systems are contemplated by thepresent disclosures. The IPTV media system can include a super head-endoffice (SHO) 110 with at least one super headend office server (SHS) 111which receives media content from satellite and/or terrestrialcommunication systems. In the present context, media content canrepresent audio content, moving image content such as videos, stillimage content, or combinations thereof. The SHS server 111 can forwardpackets associated with the media content to video head-end servers(VHS) 114 via a network of video head-end offices (VHO) 112 according toa common multicast communication protocol.

The VHS 114 can distribute multimedia broadcast programs via an accessnetwork 118 to commercial and/or residential buildings 102 housing agateway 104 (such as a residential or commercial gateway). The accessnetwork 118 can represent a group of digital subscriber line accessmultiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service areainterface that provide broadband services over optical links or coppertwisted pairs 119 to buildings 102. The gateway 104 can use commoncommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 106 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 108 such as computers, televisionsets, gaming consoles (e.g., PS3, Xbox or Wii) managed in some instancesby a media controller 107 (such as an infrared or RF remote control,gaming controller, etc.).

The gateway 104, the media processors 106, and media devices 108 canutilize tethered interface technologies (such as coaxial, phone line, orpower line wiring) or can operate over a common wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi). With these interfaces, unicastcommunications can be invoked between the media processors 106 andsubsystems of the IPTV media system for services such as video-on-demand(VoD), browsing an electronic programming guide (EPG), or otherinfrastructure services.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 130. A portion of the computing devices130 can operate as a web server for providing portal services over anInternet Service Provider (ISP) network 132 to wireline media devices108 or wireless communication devices 116 (e.g., cellular phone, laptopcomputer, etc.) by way of a wireless access base station 117 operatingaccording to common wireless access protocols such as WiFi, or cellularcommunication technologies (such as GSM, CDMA, UMTS, WiMAX, SoftwareDefined Radio or SDR, LTE, and so on).

A satellite broadcast television system can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system. In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 115carrying media content can be intercepted by a common satellite dishreceiver 131 coupled to the building 102. Modulated signals interceptedby the satellite dish receiver 131 can be transferred to the mediaprocessors 106 for decoding and distributing broadcast channels to themedia devices 108. The media processors 106 can be equipped with abroadband port to the IP network 132 to enable services such as VoD andEPG described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital broadcast distributionsystem such as cable TV system 133 can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system described above. In this embodiment the cable TV system 133can provide Internet, telephony, and interactive media services.

It is contemplated that the present disclosure can apply to any presentor next generation over-the-air and/or landline media content servicessystem.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 200employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 200 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith communication system 100 as another representative embodiment ofcommunication system 100.

Communication system 200 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)240, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 230, and other commonnetwork elements of an IMS network 250. The IMS network 250 canestablish communications between IMS compliant communication devices(CD) 201, 202, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 203, 205,and combinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function(MGCF) 220 coupled to a PSTN network 260. The MGCF 220 is generally notused when a communication session involves IMS CD to IMS CDcommunications. Any communication session involving at least one PSTN CDmay utilize the MGCF 220.

IMS CDs 201, 202 can register with the IMS network 250 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with acorresponding Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with the HSS240. To initiate a communication session between CDs, an originating IMSCD 201 can submit a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message toan originating P-CSCF 204 which communicates with a correspondingoriginating S-CSCF 206. The originating S-CSCF 206 can submit queries tothe ENUM system 230 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIPINVITE to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS compliant.

The SIP URI can be used by an Interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 207 to submita query to the HSS 240 to identify a terminating S-CSCF 214 associatedwith a terminating IMS CD such as reference 202. Once identified, theI-CSCF 207 can submit the SIP INVITE to the terminating S-CSCF 214. Theterminating S-CSCF 214 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 216associated with the terminating CD 202. The P-CSCF 216 then signals theCD 202 to establish communications.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such asreferences 203 or 205, the ENUM system 230 can respond with anunsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originating S-CSCF206 to forward the call to the MGCF 220 via a Breakout Gateway ControlFunction (BGCF) 219. The MGCF 220 can then initiate the call to theterminating PSTN CD by common means over the PSTN network 260.

The aforementioned communication process is symmetrical. Accordingly,the terms “originating” and “terminating” in FIG. 2 are interchangeable.It is further noted that communication system 200 can be adapted tosupport video conferencing. In addition, communication system 200 can beadapted to provide the IMS CDs 201, 203 the multimedia and Internetservices of communication system 100.

The first communication system 100 can be operatively coupled to thesecond communication system 200 by way of computing systems 130 (orother common communication means) to interchangeably share servicesbetween said systems.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal 302 which canoperate from the computing devices 130 described earlier ofcommunication system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The portal 302 can beused for managing services of communication systems 100-200. The portal302 can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with a commonInternet browser using an Internet-capable communication device such asthose illustrated FIGS. 1-2. The portal 302 can be configured, forexample, to access a media processor 106 and services managed therebysuch as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a VoD catalog, an EPG, a videogaming profile, a personal catalog (such as personal videos, pictures,audio recordings, etc.) stored in the media processor, to provision IMSservices described earlier, provisioning Internet services, to provisioncellular phone services, and so on.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication device 400.Communication device 400 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the communication devices of FIGS. 1-2 andother communication devices described herein. The communication device400 can comprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver 402 (hereintransceiver 402), a user interface (UI) 404, a power supply 414, alocation detector 416, and a controller 406 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 402 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as infrared, Bluetooth, WiFi, DigitalEnhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), or cellular communicationtechnologies, just to mention a few. Cellular technologies can include,for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX,SDR, and next generation cellular wireless communication technologies asthey arise. The transceiver 402 can also be adapted to supportcircuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCPIP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 404 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 408 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, joystick, mouse, ornavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device400. The keypad 408 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 400 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth. The keypad 408 canrepresent a numeric dialing keypad commonly used by phones, and/or aQwerty keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 404 can further include adisplay 410 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display),OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technologyfor conveying images to an end user of the communication device 400. Inan embodiment where the display 410 is touch-sensitive, a portion or allof the keypad 408 can be presented by way of the display 410.

The UI 404 can also include an audio system 412 that utilizes commonaudio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heardonly in the proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio for handsfree operation. The audio system 412 can further include a microphonefor receiving audible signals from an end user. The audio system 412 canalso be used for voice recognition applications. The UI 404 can furtherinclude an image sensor 413 such as a charged coupled device (CCD)camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 414 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy tothe components of the communication device 400 to facilitate long-rangeor short-range portable applications. The location detector 416 canutilize common location technology such as a global positioning system(GPS) receiver for identifying a location of the communication device400 based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS satellites,thereby facilitating common location services such as navigation.

The motion sensor 418 can comprise common motion sensing technology suchas an accelerometer, gyros, or like technologies that can sense two orthree-dimensional motion. Alternatively, or in combination, the motionsensor 418 can comprise infrared sensor technology which can detectinfrared beams from a source for purposes of detecting motion (much likethe technology used in Wii™ gaming consoles). In sum, the motion sensor418 can utilize any technology that can detect two or three dimensionalmotion.

The RFID detector 420 can comprise common RFID tag detection andcommunication technology. The RFID detector 420 can for example utilizea portion or all of the transceiver 402 technology to communicate andprompt active or passive RFID tags to respond with identificationinformation such as the identification data associated with a viewingapparatus comprising an RFID tag. Alternatively, the RFID detector 420can include its own transceiver technology for communicating with RFIDtags.

The communication device 400 can use the transceiver 402 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi or Bluetooth access point bycommon power sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or a signal time of arrival (TOA) or timeof flight (TOF). The controller 406 can utilize computing technologiessuch as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and/or avideo processor with associated storage memory such a Flash, ROM, RAM,SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies.

The communication device 400 can be adapted to perform the functions ofthe media processor 106, the media controller 107, the media devices108, or the portable communication devices 116 of FIG. 1, as well as theIMS CDs 201-202 and PSTN CDs 203-205 of FIG. 2. It will be appreciatedthat the communication device 400 can also represent other commondevices that can operate in communication systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1-2such as a gaming console and a media player.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a presentation device 502and media processor 106 for presenting media content. In the presentillustration, the presentation device 502 is depicted as a televisionset. It will be appreciated that the presentation device 502alternatively can represent a portable communication device such as acellular phone, a PDA, a computer, or other computing device with theability to display media content. The media processor 106 can be an STBsuch as illustrated in FIG. 1, or some other computing device such as acellular phone, computer, gaming console, or other device that canprocess and direct the presentation device 502 to emit images associatedwith media content. It is further noted that the media processor 106 andthe presentation device 502 can be an integral unit. For example, acomputer or cellular phone having computing and display resourcescollectively can represent the combination of a presentation device 502and media processor 106.

The presentation device 502 can be coupled to a plurality of imagingsensors 510, 512. The imaging sensors 510, 512 can utilize commonimaging technology such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device) technology tocapture moving or still images. The plurality of imaging sensors 510,512 can be utilized, for example, to capture images of a user utilizingthe viewing apparatus 602 of FIG. 6 and/or a media controller 630(illustrated as a remote controller, herein remote controller 630). Thecaptured images can be processed by the media processor 106 as will bedescribed below.

The media processor 106 can be adapted to communicate with accessoriessuch as the viewing apparatus 602 of FIG. 6 by way of a wired orwireless interface 506. A wired interface can represent a tetheredconnection from the viewing apparatus to an electro-mechanical port ofthe media processor 106 (e.g., USB or proprietary interface). A wirelessinterface can represent a radio frequency (RF) interface such asBluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee or other wireless standard. The wirelessinterface can also represent an infrared communication interface. Anystandard or proprietary wireless interface between the media processor106 and the viewing apparatus 602 is contemplated by the presenteddisclosure.

The viewing apparatus 602 can represent an apparatus for viewingtwo-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) stereoscopic images whichcan be still or moving images. The viewing apparatus 602 can be anactive shutter viewing apparatus. In this embodiment, each lens has aliquid crystal layer which can be darkened or made to be transparent bythe application of one or more bias voltages. Each lens 604, 606 can beindependently controlled. Accordingly, the darkening of the lenses 604,606 can alternate, or can be controlled to operate simultaneously.

Each viewing apparatus 602 can include all or portions of the componentsof the communication device 400 illustrated in FIG. 4. For example, theviewing apparatus 602 can utilize the receiver portion of thetransceiver 402 in the form of an infrared receiver depicted by thewindow 608. Alternatively, the viewing apparatus 602 can function as atwo-way communication device, in which case a full infrared transceivercould be utilize to exchange signals between the media processor 106 andthe viewing apparatus 602. It is contemplated that the transceiver 402can be replaced with a unidirectional RF receiver or a bidirectional RFtransceiver. The viewing apparatus 602 can also include a passive oractive RFID tag embedded in the housing assembly (or window 608—notshown in FIG. 6) for transmitting RF signals to the STB 106 responsiveto a signal transmitted by the RFID detector 420 of the STB aspreviously discussed. The signal transmitted by the RFID tag of theviewing apparatus can be used to identify the viewing apparatus by anycommon coding scheme (e.g., alpha-numeric character string).

Window 608 can also include one or more common light sensors thatmeasure ambient light and/or measure light signals supplied from thepresentation device 502. Alternatively or in combination, one or morelight sensors can also be placed on an inner portion 609 of the viewingapparatus 602 to measure light supplied by the optical elements 604, 606or reflections of light from a user's eyes (e.g., sclera or eyelidflesh). The measurements of light generate illumination informationwhich can be transmitted to the media processor 106.

The viewing apparatus 602 can utilize a controller 406 to controloperations thereof, and a portable power supply (not shown). The viewingapparatus 602 can have portions of the UI 404 of FIG. 4. For example,the viewing apparatus 602 can have a multi-purpose button 612 which canfunction as a power on/off button and as a channel selection button. Apower on/off feature can be implemented by a long-duration depression ofbutton 612 which can toggle from an on state to an off state andvice-versa. Fast depressions of button 612 can be used for channelnavigation. Alternatively, two buttons can be added to the viewingapparatus 602 for up/down channel selection, which operate independentof the on/off power button 612.

In another embodiment, a thumbwheel can be used for scrolling betweenchannels. Additional buttons, a scroll wheel or other commonmanipulative devices (not shown) can be added to the viewing apparatus602 to also control light intensity produced by the presentation device502. For example increase and decrease buttons can be used to submitillumination requests to the media processor 106 over a wireless orwired medium as previously described. Alternatively or in combinationany of the aforementioned functions of the UI 404 of the viewingapparatus can be controlled by speech detection. A microphone of theaudio system 412 can added to the housing assembly of the viewingapparatus 602 for speech detection purposes. The microphone can forexample be an extendable leg that reaches at or near the mouth of a usermuch like common headsets in prior art systems. Advanced microphonedetection technology that takes advantage of aspects of a user'sphysiology (bone vibrations at or near the user's ear) can be used bythe viewing apparatus 602 for speech detection.

It is further noted that illumination information generated by the lightsensor(s) and requests for a change in light intensity can be submittedin combination to the media processor 106, presentation device 502 orcombinations thereof.

The viewing apparatus 602 can also include an audio system 412 with oneor more speakers in the extensions of the housing assembly such as shownby references 616, 614 to produce localized audio 618, 620 near a user'sears. Different portions of the housing assembly can be used to producemono, stereo, or surround sound effects. Ear cups (not shown) such asthose used in headphones can be used by the viewing apparatus 602 (as anaccessory or integral component) for a more direct and low-noise audiopresentation technique. The volume of sound presented by the speakers614, 616 can be controlled by a thumbwheel 610 (or up/down buttons—notshown).

As will be described below, the media processor 106 can assign a remotecontroller 630 to one or more viewing apparatus 602 as an accessory forcontrolling functions of the media processor 106 such as volume, channelselection, resolution (2D to 3D and vice-versa), illumination control,navigation, contrast, color, and so on.

It would be evident from the above descriptions that many embodiments ofthe viewing apparatus 602 are possible, all of which are contemplated bythe present disclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of the presentation device 502of FIG. 5 with a polarized display. A display can be polarized withpolarization filter technology so that alternative pixel rows can bemade to have differing polarizations. For instance, odd pixels rows 702can be polarized for viewing with one polarization filter, while evenpixels rows 704 can be polarized for viewing with an alternativepolarization filter. The viewing apparatus 602 of FIG. 6 can be adaptedto have one lens polarized for odd pixel rows, while the other lens ispolarized for viewing even pixel rows. With polarized lenses, theviewing apparatus 602 can present a user a 3D stereoscopic image.

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 800 operating inportions of the devices and systems described herein and/or illustratedin FIGS. 1-7. Method 800 can begin with step 802 in which a mediaprocessor 106 (such as a STB) detects a plurality of viewing apparatusessuch as the viewing apparatus 602 of FIG. 6. For illustration purposesonly, the media processor 106 and the viewing apparatuses 602 will bereferred to hereinafter as the STB 106 and shutter glasses 602,respectively, although it is well understood that these terms have abroader meaning.

The detection of the shutter glasses 602 in step 802 can be illustratedby the flowchart of FIG. 19. FIG. 19 provides a non-limitingillustration for detecting shutter glasses 602. Before describing theseembodiments it is noted that it would be apparent to an artisan withordinary skill in the art that there are innumerable ways for a mediaprocessor 106 to detect viewing apparatuses 602. It would also apparentto said artisan that it would be impractical to describe all possibleembodiments in the present disclosure. The present disclosure thereforecontemplates the use of any embodiment not disclosed herein fordetecting any type of viewing apparatus suitable for the presentdisclosure.

In one embodiment, the STB 106 can be operable to receive in step 1902an autonomous signal associated with shutter glasses 602. The autonomoussignal can be generated by a remote controller 630 that notifies the STB106 of the intended use of shutter glasses 602. The notification processcan take place while the remote controller 630 navigates through a userinterface presented by the STB 106 by way of a presentation device 502,or by depressing one or more buttons on the remote controller 630.Alternatively, the autonomous signal can be transmitted by the shutterglasses 602 over a wireless medium using RF or infrared (IR) signals.

The shutter glasses 602 can be adapted to transmit the autonomous signalin response to a user turning the power on the shutter glasses 602, anaudio system of the shutter glasses 602 detecting a speech command thatit conveys to the STB 106 inclusive of the autonomous signal, or theshutter glasses can be equipped with the motion sensor 418 of FIG. 4which can be used to detect that the glasses have been retrieved from astationary (non-use) position, thereby triggering a wirelesstransmission (e.g., RFID signal, or infrared, Bluetooth or otherwise) ofthe autonomous signal to notify the STB 106 that the glasses are in use.The shutter glasses can also be equipped with a power on-off switchbased on the position of the legs of the glasses 602. For example, whenthe glasses are folded, the switch can automatically turn off power.When the legs of the glasses 602 are unfolded, power is restored whichcan in turn trigger an autonomous signal that is conveyed to the STB 106to signal the use of the glasses.

A power-on cycle can for example invoke the shutter glasses 602 totransmit its identifier (e.g., alphanumeric or binary string) to the STB106 for validation and to enable a request for services. Similarly, aspeech command once received by the STB 106 can be used for validationand service activation purposes. In step 1904, the STB 106 can retrievethe identifier and in step 1916 perform a validation process. Thevalidation process can involve comparing the identifier to a database ofknown identifiers stored in the STB 106—preprovisioned by the serviceprovider of the STB 106 and/or at a later time by the subscriber of theSTB 106. The identifier can also include information such as serviceprovider identification data (identifiable by MAC address, serialnumber, model number, etc.). With this information, the STB 106 candetermine if the service provider identification is compatible with theservice provider identification known to the STB 106. The STB 106 cantherefore be adapted to enforce the use of shutter glasses 602 and/orother accessories such as the remote controller 630 supplied by theservice provider of the STB 106.

In the case of speech commands, the STB 106 can be adapted in step 1916to validate the identifier with biometric techniques such as user voiceidentification. Alternatively, or in combination, the STB 106 can submitan audio signal to the shutter glasses 602 to request from the user alogin and/or password in the voice of the user, which the shutterglasses 602 can detect and convey back to the STB 106 for processing.

If the identifier is found to be invalid in step 1916, the STB 106 cansubmit in step 1920 an error message to the shutter glasses 602 in theform of an audio signal indicating that the validation process hasfailed. Otherwise, if the identifier is found to be valid in step 1916,the STB 106 enables services for the detected shutter glasses in step1918, and proceeds to step 1922 where it determines if the STB 106 waspreviously configured to present media content in a non-time-divisionmultiplexing (TDM) or non-space-division multiplexing (SDM). As will beshown below, the STB 106 is capable of directing the presentation device502 to present multiple instances of media content with overlappingpresentation schedules simultaneously by the use of TDM or SDM schemes.

If a traditional presentation scheme such as is common today where asingle instance of media content is presented at a time by thepresentation device 502, and shutter glasses 602 are detected asdescribed above during this presentation mode, then the STB 106 canproceed to step 1924 where it can flag the need to transition to a TDMor SDM scheme suitable for the detected glasses 602. Otherwise, the STB106 proceeds to step 1926 where it proceeds to method 800 beginning fromstep 804. The transition from a non-multiplexing scheme to a TDM or SDMscheme can represent that the STB 106 will have to discontinue thenon-multiplexing scheme and inform users by an ambient audio message orby a message on the presentation device 502 while in thenon-multiplexing presentation scheme that shutter (and/or polarized)glasses 602, or other accommodations will be required to continueviewing media content.

In yet another embodiment, the STB 106 can detect shutter glasses 602 bydirecting the RFID detector 420 of the STB 106 to transmit in step 1906an RF signal that prompts an RFID tag embedded in the shutter glasses602 to respond with an identifier in step 1908. Once the identifier isreceived, the STB 106 can proceed to steps 1916-1926 as previouslydescribed. In yet another embodiment, the STB 106 can be adapted tocapture one or more images of a user selecting or otherwise manipulatingthe shutter glasses 602 or entering a room with the shutter glasses 602by capturing images by way of one or both of the imaging sensors 510,512 in FIG. 5. From the captured image, the STB 106 can utilize commonimage processing technology to detect the utilization of the shutterglasses 602. Once detected, the STB 106 can prompt the shutter glasses602 to supply over a wireless medium an identifier in step 1914, whichwould then be validated and processed as described by steps 1916-1926.Alternatively, if the user's image is recognized, the STB 106 can bypasssteps 1914-1916 and enable services of the shutter glasses 602.

For illustration purposes, assume that only two shutter glasses aredetected. In steps 804 through 808 the STB 106 can select and assigneach shutter glass 602 to one or more time slots. In step 808, the STB106 can also assign a remote controller 630 to each of the shutterglasses 602. If one or more of the shutter glasses 602 shares the sametime slot assignments, then these glasses can be grouped and assigned toa single remote controller 630. The STB 106 can perform the assignmentby identifying the remote controllers 630 and the shutter glasses 602according to identifications (ID) transmitted thereby. The ID can be anumber or alphanumeric string transmitted by the remote controllers 630and/or the shutter glasses 602 each time either device transmits asignal to the STB 106 over a wireless medium (e.g., an infrared,Bluetooth or WiFi signal) or wireline medium (e.g., USB cable).

In step 810, the STB 106 can transmit to each shutter glass asynchronization signal over the RF or IR interface. The synchronizationsignal can include an identifier for each shutter glass 602 (e.g.,shutter glass ID 1, and shutter glass ID 2), a designation of one ormore periodic time slots assigned to each shutter glass, and thefrequency of these time slots (e.g., 32 frames per second).

In steps 812, 814 the STB 106 can further detect a program selection byeach user. The selections can be detected from RF or IR signalstransmitted by a remote controller 630 utilized by each user. Eachremote controller 630 can be identified by a unique identifier aspreviously described. Alternatively, or in combination, each shutterglass 602 can have one or more channel selection buttons for scrollingthrough channels presented at the TV set 502 by the STB 106. A programselection in the present context can represent one of many selectablemedia programs supplied to the STB 106 by one of the media communicationsystems referred to in FIGS. 1-3, or media programs stored in the STB'slocal memory. A media program can represent a live TV channel (e.g.,ESPN), a pre-recorded program stored in a DVR of the STB 106, personalmedia content such as pictures or videos stored in the STB, or any othersource of media content that is presentable on TV set 502. Accordingly,a media program can represent any form of viewable media content whichcan have still or moving images.

Once a media program selection has been detected, the STB 106 can directthe TV set 502 in step 816 to emit images of each program according tothe time slots assigned to each set of shutter glasses 602. In steps818, 820, time-synchronized audio signals can be transmitted to theshutter glasses 602 of Users 1 and 2 by way of RF or IR signals. Theshutter glasses 602 can each process the audio signal with a built-inaudio system such as described for reference 412 of FIG. 4 forpresenting low-volume audio associated with the selected program by wayof the audio speakers located on the extensions 616, 620 of the shutterglasses 602. Volume can be controlled at each of the shutter glasses 602by way of the volume control 610. By utilizing low volume audio, eachuser can receive a private audio presentation of the program, therebynot disturbing another user viewing a different program.

Step 821 represents a user interface (UI) with several illustrativeembodiments for controlling a presentation of images by the presentationdevice 502 directed to each of the shutter glasses 602 at theirrespective assigned time slots. By way of the UI, a user can request achange of resolution at step 822 (as will be described below),navigation or panning of the UI and/or the media program presented bythe presentation device 502 as directed by the STB 106 at step 823, arequest for a change in volume in the audible signal transmitted to theshutter glasses 602 at step 824 (as described above), a change in themedia program at step 824 as described above for steps 812 and 814, or achange of illumination at step 826 as will be described below.

The UI can be invoked and controlled by several devices individually orin combination. For example, the UI can be invoked by a manipulation ofthe remote controller 630, a speech command detected by an audio systemof the shutter glasses 602, or an action of the user detected by theimaging sensors 510 or 512 operably coupled to the STB 106. In the caseof the remote controller 630 the UI can be managed by buttons on thecontroller 630 (e.g., volume control, channel control, DVR control,etc.). In addition, the motion sensor 418 (and/or the location detector416) can be used to detect motion that can be interpreted as anavigation command to control a pointer in the UI (much like a mousepointer on a computer) or to pan the UI or the media program when eitherof these images is presented on a canvas that exceeds the presentationarea of the presentation device 502.

The imaging sensors 510, 512 can detect an action by the user such asmovement of the remote controller 630 or hand motions of the user. FIG.18 depicts illustrative hand motion commands that can be detected by theimaging sensors 510, 512 to control the UI and/or media program beingpresented. For example, movement of the hands outward can be interpretedas a zoom in command which can be used to augment a portion of the imagebeing presented in 2D or 3D format. An inward movement can beinterpreted as a zoom out command which can be used to shrink the imagebeing presented as well as draw in a portion of the image that was notpreviously viewable. This is especially useful when the canvas of theimage being presented is larger than the presentable area of thepresentation device 502. Single hand motions from left to right, rightto left, up and down, or at angles not shown can be used to pan theimage presentation in different directions.

The imaging sensors 510, 512 can also be used by the STB 106 to detect3D positioning of a user's hands. Accordingly, a user viewing a 3D imagecan manipulate a 3D object presented by the presentation device 502 asif the user were actually touching the object in 3D space.

It would be evident to an artisan with ordinary skill in the art thatthere can be innumerable embodiments for manipulating a UI or mediapresentation with any of the devices described above. Such embodimentsare therefore contemplated by the present disclosure.

Assume for illustration purposes that the media program selected by eachuser is a 3D video program with right and left images having differentperspectives for stereoscopic viewing. The STB 106 can select for user 1time slot 1 for viewing left video images and time slot 2 for viewingright video images, each time slot having a frame rate of 32 frames persecond. Similarly, the STB 106 can select for user 2 time slot 3 forviewing left video images and time slot 4 for viewing right videoimages, each time slot also having a frame rate of 32 frames per second.Suppose a TV set 502 has a frame rate of 256 frames per second. At thisrate, the TV set 502 can be adapted to support 8 time slots eachoperating at 32 frames per second. In this configuration, each time slotwould have a duration of approximately 488 microseconds (us).

The above configuration can support up to four 3D programs which can beviewed simultaneous with active shutter glasses 602 synchronized topairs of time slots associated with each program. In the illustration ofFIG. 1, two users utilize four time slots: time slots 1 and 2 for User1, and time slots 3 and 4 for User 2. Time slots 5 through 8 areavailable for other users. Suppose that User 1 chose channel 8 of theSTB 106 which supports a live 3D video program, and further suppose thatUser 2 chose channel 6 to also view a live 3D video program. During timeslot 1, the shutter glasses 602 of User 1 would enable viewing of theimage presented by the TV set 502 on the left lens 606 while maintainingthe right lens 604 darkened (disabled). It should be noted that no otherimages are presented by the TV set 502 during time slot 1. In otherwords, during time slot 1 the STB 106 will not direct the TV set 502 topresent images from the program selected by User 2 on channel 6 orimages associated with the right eye for channel 8. User 2's shutterglasses maintain both lenses 604 and 606 darkened (disabled) during timeslot 1. Hence, User 2 would not be able to view the left eye image oftime slot 1.

Upon entering time slot 2, the STB 106 can direct the TV set 502 topresent the right eye frame of channel 8 only. The shutter glass 602 ofUser 1 having been synchronized in step 810 to the frame rate of the TV502, and knowing its assigned time slots (1 and 2), and their respectiverates, would enable the right viewing lens 604, and darken (or disable)the left viewing lens 606 during time slot 2. Hence, User 1 would onlybe able to view the image presented on the TV 502 by way of the rightlens 604. Again, User 2's shutter glasses would maintain both lenses 604and 606 darkened (disabled) during time slot 2. Hence, User 2 would notbe able to view the right eye image of channel 8 during time slot 2.

Upon entering time slot 3, the STB 106 can direct the TV set 502 topresent the left eye frame of channel 6 only. The shutter glass 602 ofUser 2 having been synchronized in step 810 to the frame rate of the TV502, and knowing its assigned time slots (3 and 4), and their respectiverates, would enable the left viewing lens 606, and darken (or disable)the right viewing lens 604. Hence, User 2 would only be able to view theimage presented on the TV 502 by way of the left lens 606. User 1'sshutter glasses would maintain both lenses 604 and 606 darkened(disabled) during time slot 3. Hence, User 1 would not be able to viewthe left eye image of time slot 3.

Upon entering time slot 4, the STB 106 can direct the TV set 502 topresent the right eye frame of channel 6 only. The shutter glass 602 ofUser 2 would enable the right viewing lens 604, and darken (or disable)the left viewing lens 606. Hence, User 2 would only be able to view theimage presented on the TV set 502 by way of the right lens 604. User 1'sshutter glasses would maintain both lenses 604 and 606 darkened(disabled) during time slot 4. Hence, User 1 would not be able to viewthe right eye image of time slot 4.

Since only one user can view one time slot with a single eye at a time,the full resolution of the TV set 502 can be viewed by each of Users 1and 2. If the TV set 502 can support high definition resolution (e.g.,1080P), a 3D program can be viewed with the same resolution. This is incontrast with a TV set 502 having a polarized display as shown in FIG.7. When viewing a polarized TV set, only half of the rows can be seen byeach eye. Therefore, a 3D image can only be viewed with half resolution.

In another embodiment, the shutter glasses 602 of FIG. 6 can be adaptedso that each lens is polarized to alternating pixel rows of thepolarized TV set 502 of FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the left lens 606,for example, can be polarized to odd pixel rows 702, while the rightlens 604 can be polarized to the even pixel rows 704. Since each eye ispolarized to different pixel rows, the shutter glasses 602 can beadapted to enable viewing from both lenses 604, 606 simultaneously.Although half the resolution of the polarized TV set 502 is viewable byeach eye, this embodiment requires only one time slot for left and righteye viewing. Accordingly, this embodiment allows the STB 106 to presenteight programs, each assigned to one of time slots 1 through 8. With thefour time slots illustrated in FIG. 10, four users can be viewingdifferent programs in half 3D resolution as depicted in the timingdiagram of FIG. 11.

The embodiments of FIGS. 10 and 11 support more than one user viewingthe same program. For example, in the illustration of FIG. 10, Users 1and 3 can be viewing 3D channel 8, while Users 2 and 4 can be viewing 3Dchannel 6. Users 3 and 4 can use shutter glasses 602 synchronized totime slots 1-2, and 3-4, respectively. Similarly, with a polarized TV502, multiple viewers are possible as shown by the addition of viewers5-8 each utilizing shutter glasses synchronized to time slots 1-4,respectively. Accordingly, any number of duplicate viewers is possible.

The aforementioned embodiments can also be adapted for multiple programviewing of combinations of 2D and 3D configurations. For instance, inthe case of a non-polarized TV set 502 as illustrated by the timingdiagram of FIG. 11, the shutter glasses of User 1 can be programmed sothat the left and right eye lenses 604, 606 are enabled simultaneouslyin time slot 1. During time slot 1, the STB 106 can be programmed topresent a full resolution 2D image. During the other time slots (2-8),the shutter glasses 602 of User 1 are disabled (darkened). More than oneviewer can have shutter glasses 602 synchronized to the same arrangementas another user. In this illustration, Users 1 and 4 are viewing thesame program (channel 8) in 2D full resolution, while Users 3 and 6 viewa 3D program in full resolution (channel 6) at the same time.

For a polarized TV set 502 as illustrated by the timing diagram of FIG.12, the STB 106 can be programmed to present a 2D image that utilizesthe odd and even pixel rows. Since all pixel rows are used, the 2D imagehas full resolution, while 3D images are half resolution since the rightand left eye images are split between the odd and even pixel rows. Asdescribed before, the left and right lenses are enabled simultaneouslyduring each time slot. And as before, more than one viewer can haveshutter glasses synchronized to the same time slot. Users 1 and 5 viewchannel 8 in 2D full resolution, Users 2 and 6 view channel 6 in 2D fullresolution, while Users 3 and 7 view channel 157 in 3D half resolution,and Users 4 and 8 view channel 216 in 3D half resolution.

Switching from 3D to 2D resolution and vice-versa can be performed witha remote controller 107 or with a toggle button on the shutter glasses602 (not shown in FIG. 6). When a 3D to 2D or 2D to 3D change request isdetected by the STB 106 in step 822, the STB 106 can repeat steps 804through 820 and thereby resynchronize the shutter glasses 602 of theuser to a new assignment of one or more time slots for 2 or 3D viewing.Similarly, a change in programming can be performed with a remotecontroller 107 and/or with channel change buttons on the shutter glasses602. When a program change request is detected by the STB 106 in step824, the STB 106 can repeat steps 816 through 820 and thereby presentthe shutter glasses 602 of the user with a new program.

If a change in media program is not detected in step 824, the STB 106can determine in step 826 whether an illumination change is required. Anillumination change can represent numerous embodiments. For example, auser can manipulate or verbally control the user interface 404 of theviewing apparatus 602 and thereby direct a change in illumination (e.g.,increase or decrease light intensity of the image projected by thepresentation device 502 in the time slots assigned for the particularuser). In another embodiment, the viewing apparatus 602 can be adaptedto periodically send illumination data associated with differentlocations of the viewing apparatus (before and after the opticalelements 604, 606 as previously described). The illumination data canrepresent ambient light, specific spectral portions of light emitted bythe presentation device 502, and/or light intensity reflected from theuser's sclera or eyelid flesh.

A change in illumination can also be detected from a change inutilization. If for example a user terminates viewing of a media programand thereby frees time slots, a change in illumination is possible.Similarly, if a new user wearing a viewing apparatus requests anothermedia program requiring the use of additional time slots, such a changecan result in an adjustment to illumination.

Illumination data submitted by each viewing apparatus 602 can beautonomous and/or under the control of the STB 106 by way ofbi-directional message exchanges over a wired or wireless medium.

In view of the above embodiments, an artisan of ordinary skill in theart would contemplate numerous causes for an illumination change.Additional embodiments are therefore contemplated by the presentdisclosure.

Once an illumination change is detected in step 826, the STB 106 can beadapted to determine in step 902 (see FIG. 9) whether a change inviewers is a cause of the illumination change. If it is, the STB 106then determines in step 904 the number of viewers and any changes intime slot usage. In step 906 the STB 106 can further retrieve any userprofiles associated with the viewers. The user profiles can identifyviewing preferences such as contrast, light intensity in a dark roomversus a well lit room, among other possible preferences. In step 910,the STB 106 can determine if the addition or departure of users, each ofwhich may cause a change in time slot usage, requires an increase in theintensity of light emitted for particular media programs viewed bycurrent users.

If for example previously used time slots have been released by a userwho has terminated a media program, and the remaining viewer(s) couldbenefit from an increase in the intensity of light emitted for therespective media program(s) being viewed by them, then the STB 106 candetect this opportunity in step 910 and determine in step 912 that suchunused time slots are available to update the illumination of saidprograms. When an unused time slot is used for this purpose, the STB 106can submit in step 918 updated synchronization signals to the affectedviewing apparatuses 602 to synchronize to a new time slot assignmentscheme. In step 914, the STB 106 can then determine if the updated useof time slots is sufficient to meet a desired level of light intensityidentified by a user's profile preferences. If it does, the STB 106 canproceed to step 922 and direct the presentation device 502 to adjust itslighting scheme for the one or more affected users according to a newtime slot arrangement.

If the use of additional time slots falls short of a user's desiredlight intensity, the STB 106 can proceed to step 920 where the STB 106determines a degree of adjustment needed for lighting elements (e.g.,LEDs, plasma cells, etc.) of the presentation device 502 to achieve thedesired light intensity. In this embodiment, the STB 106 can direct thepresentation device 502 to present a media program utilizing additionaltime slots with an additional adjustment in the intensity of lightemitted by the lighting elements of the presentation device 502 to makeup for any shortfall in the time slot arrangement.

The aforementioned embodiment can also be applied to circumstances wherea decrease in light intensity is required. For example, the STB 106 candetermine in step 910 that the user has turned off or turned downlighting in a room, thus requiring less light intensity in the mediaprogram being presented. Under these circumstances, the STB 106 canproceed to step 916 where it determines if time slots are available tobe given up. If the minimum time slots required are in use, then the STB106 can proceed to steps 914-922 to decrease the intensity of lightgenerated by the lighting elements of the presentation device 502without an adjustment to the time slots. In this embodimentresynchronization of the viewing apparatuses is not necessary, and thusstep 918 is not required.

If the viewing apparatus 602 is synchronized to more time slots thanrequired (e.g., two time slots for the left eye, and two for the right),then the STB 106 can proceed to step 918 where it submits an updatedsynchronization signal to the affected viewing apparatus(es) 602 andproceeds to steps 914 for further adjustment if the decrease in lightintensity falls short of a desired target, or if the decrease in lightintensity by reducing the number of time slots is more than desired, inwhich case the STB 106 directs the presentation device 502 to increasethe light intensity generated by the lighting elements during theassigned time slot arrangement.

Referring back to step 902, if the illumination change is the result ofa proactive request of a user manipulating the user interface 404 of theviewing apparatus 602 to request an increase or decrease inillumination, the STB 106 can process this request in step 908 andproceed to any combination of steps 910-922 to achieve the requestedadjustment. Alternatively or in combination if the change inillumination is a result of autonomous illumination measurementssubmitted to the STB 106 by the viewing apparatus 602 or measurementsrequested by the STB 106, the STB 106 can process the illumination datain step 908, retrieve user profiles where appropriate to determine if anincrease or decrease in illumination is required in step 910 and repeatany combination of the steps previously described.

FIG. 14 illustrates a few of the embodiments described above. In thisillustration four timing groups are shown (Grp I, II, III and IV) eachrepresenting a transition between time slot schemes. Group I canrepresent for example the initial state of two users viewing twoindependent media programs with overlapping presentation schedules. User1 is viewing a 3D high resolution program on channel 8 during time slots1 and 2, while User 2 is viewing a media program at the same resolutionon channel 6 during time slots 3 and 4.

In Group II, User 1 is assumed to have requested an increase in thelight intensity of the media program of channel 8. This request can begenerated by a manipulation of the user interface 404 of the viewingapparatus 602 of user 1 as previously described. The STB 106 candetermine as described by method 900 the availability of time slots 5and 6 in Group I and replicate the left and right images in Group II asshown during time slots 5 and 6, respectively. To accomplish this, theSTB 106 transmits a synchronization signal to the viewing apparatus 602of user 1 so that it can now enable the optical elements during timeslots 1, 2, 5 and 6.

In Group I user's 1 and 2 achieve 25% of the light intensity availableby time slot management. By supplying time slots 5 and 6, user 1 sees50% of the available light intensity while user 2 remains at 25%. Ifmore intensity is required, time slots 7 and 8 can also be madeavailable, which increases the intensity of light provided to 75% foruser 1. If user 2 terminates its viewing of channel 6 without switchingto another channel, thereby relinquishing time slots 3 and 4, then thewhole spectrum of time slots can be assigned to the viewing apparatus ofuser 1 thereby providing said viewer 100% of the light intensity whichcan be managed with time slots.

This illustration can be carried in any direction or combination. Forexample, the light intensity presented to user 1 can be decreased bytransitioning from group IV to group I in sequence or with gaps. It isfurther noted that if the light intensity desired by a user cannot beachieved with time slot management, the STB 106 can direct thepresentation device 502 to adjust the lighting elements during theuser's time slot(s) to make up for a shortfall or to adjust for anovershoot.

FIG. 16 depicts yet another illustrative embodiment of a method 1600operating in portions of the devices and systems of FIGS. 1-7. Method1600 presents illustrative embodiments for transmitting 3D highdefinition (HD) stereoscopic streams from the media systems of FIGS. 1-3to the devices in FIGS. 4-7. Method 1600 can begin with steps 1602-1604in which a media system generates first and second HD stereoscopicstreams from a 3D media program. These steps can be responsive to, forexample, a user request for an on-demand 3D movie. For user directedrequests, the media system can transmit the requested movie over aunicast channel to the end user's STB 106. Alternatively, the mediasystem can perform these steps as a general broadcast of a scheduled 3Dmedia program. In this instance, the media program would be transmittedby the media system over a multicast channel to subscriber STBs 106communicatively coupled to the media system.

Once the media system has determined whether to transmit in unicast ormulticast mode, it can proceed to steps 1606-1608 to select first andsecond 2D HD channels from the system for transporting the stereoscopicinformation of steps 1602-1604. Since 3D HD media content can be greaterin bandwidth capacity than the streaming bandwidth a that single 2D HDchannel can support, the media system can be directed in steps 1606-1608to select two 2D HD channels to transport the two HD stereoscopicstreams, respectively. An illustration of this is shown in FIG. 17 byway of references 1702-1704. Once the media system has selected two 2DHD channels, it can proceed to steps 1610-1612 to transmit the HDstereoscopic streams to one or more STBs 106 in its network.

Step 1614 presents an illustration of a media processor (referred toherein for illustration purposes as STB 106) adapted to receive thefirst and second HD stereoscopic streams generated by the media system.In this step, the STB 106 can be further adapted to retrieve the firstand second HD stereoscopic streams from the first and second HDchannels, buffer the streams, and synchronize them according to thesynchronization data embedded in each stream. Once the streams have beensynchronized, in step 1616, the STB 106 can determine if thepresentation device that it is communicatively coupled to is a polarizeddevice as previously discussed or one that support time-divisionmultiplexing (TDM). If the presentation device is polarized, then theSTB 106 retrieves the first and second HD stereoscopic streams from thefirst and second 2D HD channels, respectively, and in step 1618 directsthe presentation device to transmit the first HD stereoscopic stream ona first polarized portion of the presentation device (e.g. odd rows),and the second HD stereoscopic stream on the second polarized portion ofthe presentation device (e.g., even rows).

An illustration of this step is given in FIG. 17 in which a 3D HDimaging stream is presented by way of media stream 1706 directed to thepolarized presentation device 1708 by way of the STB 106. Although notshown in steps 1618-1620, the media processor can also transmit an audiosignal associated with the 3D HD media program to viewing apparatus(es)used for viewing the polarized 3D HD media program. This provides ameans for private audio consumption of the media program, which isespecially useful if multiple media programs are being viewedsimultaneously by multiple users with viewing apparatuses such asdescribed earlier.

If on the other hand the STB 106 is communicatively coupled to apresentation device with TDM capability for 3D media presentation, thenthe STB 106 proceeds to step 1622 where it creates a time slotarrangement much like what has been previously described above, andtransmits a synchronization signal to one or more viewing apparatuses.In steps 1624-1626 the media processor directs the presentation deviceto transmit the first and second stereoscopic streams in correspondingfirst and second periodic time slots for viewing. An audio signalassociated with the 3D HD media program can also be transmitted to theviewing apparatus. An illustration of these steps in whole or in part isgiven in FIG. 17 in which a 3D HD imaging stream is presented by way ofmedia stream 1706 directed to the TDM presentation device 1710.

It will be appreciated that any of the embodiments described aboveincluding without limitation embodiments for simultaneous viewing ofmultiple media programs with overlapping presentation schedules andembodiments for controlling illumination of each media program can beapplied to method 1600.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For instance, the control andsensing of light illumination can be placed on a remote controllercarried by a user of the viewing apparatus and therewith submit signalsto the STB 106 to achieve the desired effects described by method 900 asillustrated in part by FIG. 14.

The embodiments described above can be adapted to operate with anydevice capable of performing in whole or in part the steps described formethod 800. For example, a cellular phone can be adapted to present twoor more users wearing shutter glasses multiple programs on a singledisplay that supports a high frame rate (e.g., 128 frames per second).Synchronization and audio signals can be transmitted to shutter glassesover for example a Bluetooth interface. Similar adaptations can beapplied to media processors and presentation devices located inautomobiles, airplanes or trains, just to mention a few.

In another embodiment, method 800 can be adapted to present multipleprograms on a TV set utilizing autostereoscopic technology. Depending onthe physical location of each user, a TV set with autostereoscopictechnology can present different programs each directed to viewing zones(e.g., five 30 degree viewing zones) for viewing programs in 3D or 2Dformats in each of said zones. Since autostereoscopic technology doesnot require shutter glasses, a user can view a program privately withonly audio headphones. A user can transition between programs byphysically moving between viewing zones.

In yet another embodiment, a presentation device 1502 such as shown inFIG. 15 can be polarized for independent viewing of pixel rows and/orcolumns with passive polarized glasses (i.e., no need for active shutterlenses). In this embodiment, a presentation device 1502 with a highdensity of pixel rows or columns can be adapted to present two or moreunassociated media programs with overlapping presentation scheduleswhich can be independently viewed by each user with polarized glasses.

In the present context, unassociated media programs can represent, forexample, media programs having related content but different versions ofthe content such as a motion picture in which a first media program ofthe motion picture is R-rated, while the second media program of themotion picture is PG-13 rated with modified scenes and/or removedscenes. In another embodiment, unassociated media programs canrepresent, for example, two or more media programs with unrelatedcontent (e.g., user recorded vacation video, user captured still images,HBO movie, DVR recorded program, etc.). Other variants of media programsare contemplated as possible embodiments of unassociated media programs.

In one embodiment, a first set of polarized glasses can have left andright lenses polarized equally for viewing odd pixel rows 1508 whileanother set of polarized glasses can have left and right lensespolarized equally for viewing even pixel rows 1510. In this scheme,media programs can be viewed in 2D. By further subdividing pixel rows,stereoscopic 3D images can be presented. For example suppose odd pixelrows are dedicated to one media program (HBO), and even pixel rows arededicated to another unassociated media program (ESPN). For the oddpixel rows, a 3D image can be presented by presenting left and right eyestereoscopic images in alternating rows with the set of odd rows.Similarly, for the even pixel rows, a 3D image can be presented bypresenting left and right eye stereoscopic images in alternating rows ofthe set of even pixel rows. The aforementioned embodiments can beadapted to a scheme in which odd and even pixel columns 1504, 1506 canbe utilized in a similar manner to the odd and even pixel row schemedescribed above for presenting 2D and 3D images.

With these principles in mind, method 800 can be adapted so that an STB106 can direct the presentation device 1502 to present a first mediaprogram in odd pixel rows, while presenting another media programunassociated to the first media program in even pixel rows while bothprograms have overlapping presentation schedules, which if viewed withthe naked eye would seem unintelligible or distorted. Under thesecircumstances, a first user can view the first media program withglasses polarized to odd pixel rows without being able to view thesecond media program. A second user can view the second media programwith glasses polarized to even pixel rows without being able to view thefirst media program. Method 800 can be further adapted to present thefirst and/or second media programs in 2D or 3D formats as previouslydescribed.

It should be noted that as presentation devices increase in resolution,additional polarization filtering of pixel rows and/or columns can beused to support viewing with polarized glasses more than two mediaprograms with overlapping presentation schedules.

The foregoing embodiments illustrate that time division, space division,or viewer location dependency can facilitate a novel means forpresenting multiple programs with overlapping presentation scheduleswhich can be independently viewed on the same presentation device.

It is also noted that any of the embodiments presented by the presentdisclosure can be adapted to manipulate light waves associated with theimages presented to each user. For instance, the more pixels areviewable by a user in one or more of the aforementioned embodiments,singly or in combination, the greater the intensity of the images.Accordingly, color, contrast and other imaging control functions can bemanipulated by the embodiments presented herein.

It is further noted that the embodiments presented herein can operate inany device. For instance, method 800 can be adapted to operate in wholeor in part at a network element of communication system 100 (e.g., atthe VHS 114) rather than at a device such as the STB 106 in premises102. Similar adaptations of the embodiments presented herein arecontemplated for communication systems 200 and 300, and communicationdevice 400. Combinations of these adaptations are also contemplated bythe present disclosure.

In sum, there are countless embodiments which are contemplated by thepresent disclosure which for practical reasons cannot be disclosed inthere totality. Accordingly, any modulation or functional scheme capableof producing the same or similar results to the embodiments describedherein are contemplated by the present disclosure.

It would therefore be apparent to an artisan with ordinary skill in theart that other suitable modifications can be applied to the presentdisclosure without departing from the scope of the claims below.Accordingly, the reader is directed to the claims section for a fullerunderstanding of the breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 2000 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 2000 may include a processor 2002 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 2004 and a static memory 2006, which communicate with each othervia a bus 2008. The computer system 2000 may further include a videodisplay unit 2010 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system2000 may include an input device 2012 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursorcontrol device 2014 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 2016, a signalgeneration device 2018 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a networkinterface device 2020.

The disk drive unit 2016 may include a machine-readable medium 2022 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 2024)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 2024may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 2004, the static memory 2006, and/or within the processor 2002during execution thereof by the computer system 2000. The main memory2004 and the processor 2002 also may constitute machine-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 2024, or that which receives and executes instructions 2024from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 2026 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 2026 using the instructions 2024. Theinstructions 2024 may further be transmitted or received over a network2026 via the network interface device 2020.

While the machine-readable medium 2022 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape;and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives is considered a distributionmedium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of amachine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A media processor, comprising: a memory to storecomputer instructions; and a controller coupled with the memory, whereinthe controller, responsive to executing the computer instructions,performs operations comprising: detecting a first viewing apparatus anda second viewing apparatus according to signals transmitted to the mediaprocessor; responsive to the detecting, retrieving identifiers for thefirst viewing apparatus and the second viewing apparatus respectively;performing a validation process for the first viewing apparatus and thesecond viewing apparatus by comparing the identifiers with a database ofknown identifiers stored in the media processor; responsive tovalidating the identifiers, determining whether a transition to a mediapresentation scheme including a time division multiplexing scheme or aspace division multiplexing scheme is required, in accordance withdetermining a previous configuration of the media processor and inaccordance with the media presentation scheme being compatible with thefirst viewing apparatus and the second viewing apparatus, wherein themedia presentation scheme comprises presenting multiple instances ofmedia content with overlapping presentation schedules simultaneously;responsive to determining that the transition is required, providing amessage indicating a required use of one of the first viewing apparatusor the second viewing apparatus to continue viewing the media content;causing a presentation device to present a three dimensional mediaprogram in the time division multiplexing scheme or the space divisionmultiplexing scheme, wherein the time division multiplexing schemepresents images of the three dimensional media program in a firstperiodic time slot of a group of periodic time slots, wherein the spacedivision multiplexing scheme presents left eye images and right eyeimages in alternating pixel rows or columns, wherein the first viewingapparatus is configured to the time division and space divisionmultiplexing schemes by being synchronized to the first periodic timeslot and having left and right lenses that are respectively polarized tothe alternating pixel rows or columns to enable viewing of the threedimensional media program, and wherein the first viewing apparatuscomprises a device to control media program selection or to controllight intensity produced by the presentation device; and causing thepresentation device to present another media program that overlaps intime with the presentation of the three dimensional media program bypresenting other images of the other media program in a second periodictime slot of the group of periodic time slots, wherein the other mediaprogram is viewable by the second viewing apparatus that has shutteredlenses that are synchronized to the second periodic time slot.
 2. Themedia processor of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise:receiving from the first viewing apparatus a request for service,wherein the request for service includes the identifier; rejecting therequest for service responsive to detecting that the identifier isinvalid; and accepting the request for service responsive to detectingthat the identifier is valid.
 3. The media processor of claim 2, whereinthe operations further comprise: detecting that the identifier isassociated with a service provider that differs from a service providerof the media processor; and rejecting the request for service.
 4. Themedia processor of claim 1, further comprising a radio frequencyidentification detector operable to receive the identifier of the firstviewing apparatus from a radio frequency identification device, wherethe radio frequency identification device is embedded in the firstviewing apparatus.
 5. The media processor of claim 4, wherein theoperations further comprise enabling media services for the firstviewing apparatus responsive to detecting the identifier of the firstviewing apparatus by way of the radio frequency identification detector.6. The media processor of claim 1, further comprising an imaging sensor,and wherein the operations further comprise detecting from an imagecaptured by the imaging sensor a utilization of the first viewingapparatus.
 7. The media processor of claim 6, wherein the operationsfurther comprise enabling media services for the first viewing apparatusresponsive to the detected utilization.
 8. The media processor of claim1, wherein the first viewing apparatus comprises an audio system, andwherein the operations further comprise receiving from the first viewingapparatus a speech command detected by the audio system.
 9. The mediaprocessor of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise enablingmedia services for the first viewing apparatus responsive to thedetected speech command.
 10. The media processor of claim 9, wherein theoperations further comprise enabling media services for the firstviewing apparatus according to a speech command, a user login includedin the speech command, a password included in the speech command, or anycombination thereof.
 11. The media processor of claim 1, wherein thefirst viewing apparatus transmits an autonomous signal to the mediaprocessor responsive to a change in a mechanical state of the viewingapparatus or a motion detected by the viewing apparatus, and wherein theoperations further comprise detecting the viewing apparatus according tothe autonomous signal.
 12. A non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium, comprising instructions which, responsive to being executed by aprocessor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:detecting a first viewing apparatus and a second viewing apparatusaccording to signals received by a media processor; responsive to thedetecting, retrieving identifiers for the first viewing apparatus andthe second viewing apparatus respectively; performing a validationprocess for the first viewing apparatus and the second viewing apparatusby comparing the identifiers with a database of known identifiers storedin the media processor; responsive to validating the identifiers,determining whether a transition to a media presentation schemeincluding a time division multiplexing scheme or a space divisionmultiplexing scheme is required, in accordance with determining aprevious configuration of the media processor and in accordance with themedia presentation scheme being compatible with the first viewingapparatus and the second viewing apparatus, wherein the mediapresentation scheme comprises presenting multiple instances of mediacontent with overlapping presentation schedules simultaneously;responsive to determining that the transition is required, providing amessage indicating a required use of one of the first viewing apparatusor the second viewing apparatus to continue viewing the media content;causing a presentation device to present a three dimensional mediaprogram in the time division multiplexing scheme or the space divisionmultiplexing scheme, wherein the time division multiplexing schemepresents images of the three dimensional media program in a firstperiodic time slot of a group of periodic time slots, wherein the spacedivision multiplexing scheme presents left eye images and right eyeimages in alternating pixel rows or columns, wherein the first viewingapparatus is configured to the time division and space divisionmultiplexing schemes by being synchronized to the first periodic timeslot and having left and right lenses that are respectively polarized tothe alternating pixel rows or columns to enable viewing of the threedimensional media program, and wherein the first viewing apparatuscomprises a device to control media program selection or to controllight intensity produced by the presentation device; and causing thepresentation device to present another media program that overlaps intime with the presentation of the three dimensional media program bypresenting other images of the other media program in a second periodictime slot of the group of time slots, wherein the other media program isviewable by the second viewing apparatus that has shuttered lenses thatare synchronized to the second periodic time slot.
 13. Thenon-transitory storage medium of claim 12, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: detecting the first viewing apparatus having shutteredlenses that are oppositely polarized, wherein the causing of thepresentation device to present the three dimensional media program isresponsive to the detecting of the first viewing apparatus; detecting apresentation of the other images of the other media program by way ofthe presentation device that is not according to a time divisionmultiplexing scheme; and causing the presentation device to transitionthe presentation of the other images to the time division multiplexingscheme in the second periodic time slot responsive to a detecting of thesecond viewing apparatus.
 14. The non-transitory storage medium of claim13, wherein the operations further comprise transitioning an ambientaudio presentation associated with the other images to a private audiopresentation associated with the other images.
 15. The non-transitorystorage medium of claim 14, wherein the operations further comprisetransmitting to the second viewing apparatus an audio signalrepresentative of the private audio presentation.
 16. The non-transitorystorage medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprisemanaging a user interface presented to the first viewing apparatus. 17.The non-transitory storage medium of claim 12, wherein the first viewingapparatus further comprises a channel selection button for changingchannels that present content via the first periodic time slot and thealternating pixel rows or columns.
 18. A method, comprising: detecting,by a system including a media processor, a first viewing apparatus and asecond viewing apparatus each having shuttered lenses that areoppositely polarized; responsive to the detecting, retrieving by thesystem identifiers for the first viewing apparatus and the secondviewing apparatus respectively; performing, by the system, a validationprocess for the first viewing apparatus and the second viewing apparatusby comparing the identifiers with a database of known identifiers storedin the media processor; responsive to validating the identifier,determining by the system whether a transition to a media presentationscheme including a time division multiplexing scheme or a space divisionmultiplexing scheme is required, in accordance with determining aprevious configuration of the media processor and in accordance with themedia presentation scheme being compatible with the first viewingapparatus and the second viewing apparatus, wherein the mediapresentation scheme comprises presenting multiple instances of mediacontent with overlapping presentation schedules simultaneously,responsive to determining that the transition is required, providing bythe system a message indicating a required use of one of the firstviewing apparatus or the second viewing apparatus to continue viewingthe media content; and causing, by the system, a presentation device topresent three dimensional media programs in the time divisionmultiplexing scheme or the space division multiplexing scheme responsiveto the detecting, wherein the time division multiplexing scheme presentsimages of the three dimensional media program in a first periodic timeslot and a second periodic time slot of a group of periodic time slots,wherein the first viewing apparatus and the second viewing apparatus areconfigured to the time division multiplexing scheme and the spacedivision multiplexing scheme by being synchronized to the first periodictime slot and the second periodic time slot respectively and having leftand right lenses that are respectively polarized to different pixels toenable viewing of the three dimensional media programs, and wherein thefirst viewing apparatus comprises a device to control media programselection or to control light intensity produced by the presentationdevice.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the space divisionmultiplexing scheme presents left eye images and right eye images in thedifferent pixels comprising alternating pixel rows or columns.
 20. Themethod of claim 18, wherein a radio frequency identification device isembedded in the viewing apparatus, and further comprising detecting theviewing apparatus by transmitting a first radio frequency signal to theviewing apparatus to prompt the radio frequency identification device togenerate a second radio frequency signal.